How will the Colts address the offensive line this offseason?

Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

A bunch of big guys descended on Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Towering, massive, athletic big guys.

Together, they comprise the next crop of NFL offensive linemen. They were among the initial groups to be picked apart by NFL personnel on the first day of the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, and it's fair to ask how many, if any, are future Colts.

The Colts' offensive line is still very much a work in progress and it's difficult to envision the team winning a Lombardi Trophy without more continuity from the unit.

With General Manager Ryan Grigson entering his fourth season this fall, will this finally be the year he and the coaching staff finally put it all together?

Here are the biggest issues facing the Colts' offensive line after an up-and-down 2014 season:

>> Center

In short, who will it be?

The Colts have done a little spinning on this issue, but here's the truth: If you have three different starters at a position, it's an indication that you lack a true starter.

The Colts started A.Q. Shipley, then Jon Harrison and, finally, Khaled Holmes at center in 2014.

That's no recipe for success.

The changes at center are part of the reason the Colts had an unfathomable 11 different starting combinations on their offensive line in 2014.

Now, a problem that was an issue at this time last year remains one. The Colts need to decide whether their long-term starter at center is currently on the roster. Shipley becomes a free agent in a few weeks and doesn't seem likely to return. Harrison's struggles mounted the longer he stayed in the lineup. Holmes, meanwhile, showed some promise when he finally cracked the lineup late in the season, but he is far from a proven starter.

The draft creates some opportunities to acquire talent at center. Reese Dismukes of Auburn and Hroniss Grasu of Oregon are two of the best. (Dismukes said he's already had a meeting with the Colts.) But you should know going in that Grigson is not keen on investing anything more than a late-round selection at the center position and would have to have a dramatic change of heart to do so.

>> Cherilus' health

Gosder Cherilus is a solid right tackle — when healthy. Thing is, last season, he was anything but. Cherilus dealt with shoulder, groin and knee injuries, eventually going on injured reserve in the first week of the postseason and ultimately undergoing a small knee scope procedure. His physical condition had a direct impact on his performance. He struggled in pass protection, one year after he was arguably the team's most consistent lineman.

The Colts need to feel relatively certain Cherilus will be in good health heading into 2015 because he's just too big a piece of their puzzle. They also don't have any great alternatives. Xavier Nixon, who terribly underperformed last season, has been cut. And Joe Reitz, who filled in capably for Cherilus last season, is about to become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team he wishes.

>>Right guard

This is another position that needs to be solidified. Hugh Thornton was expected to be the guy, but that remains very much in doubt after he had difficulty staying healthy and played inconsistently in 2014.

Thornton has a lot to prove before he earns the right to be considered the answer at right guard. Lance Louis returns for the second year of his two-year deal, but he's ideally suited to be a swing backup at guard (he's had some success at both left and right guard).

A wildcard worth watching at guard: CFL import Ben Heenan. He signed with the team this month and is a former No. 1 overall pick in the CFL draft. There's opportunity for him if he's up to the task.

>>Castonzo's contract

No, Anthony Castonzo isn't going anywhere. The Colts have exercised the fifth-year option on his 2011 rookie contract and have him locked up this fall. But there's a chance they could extend his deal this year because the Colts have other deals to get done in 2016 and have a chance to spread them out.

Castonzo is already on the books for $7.4 million this season under the terms of his original contract, so it does not appear a new deal would add any significant amount to the payroll.

The bottom line is this: The Colts see Castonzo as their long-term anchor. Now all they have to do is make it happen.